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In a statement to the council, Sergeant Andrew O'Connell, who was at the scene, wrote: "Investigations have shown that the designated premises supervisor had no control of the premises and no knowledge of who was promoting or performing at the event [on December 16].

"This means there was no proper risk assessment of the event.

"Having considered all the options available to me, I am of the opinion that this matter is so serious that standard procedure would be inappropriate and would not address the risk of further serious crime were the premises to reopen.

"There is a need to close the premises to establish what has happened as the suspects are still at large."

Police cars parked near Exchange Square following the stabbing

Sgt O'Connell, who said members of the crowd were "hostile" as he helped to disperse them, also claimed that staff were not monitoring the fire doors when the disturbance broke out.

At a licensing hearing on January 17, members of the council's licensing review sub-committee will decide whether the venue's licence should be revoked or suspended.

The site of the club was home to a club called We'ReHouse before the venue became home to 34 (Image: David Cook)

The club has been closed since its New Year's Eve event after the council suspended its licence as an interim measure until the hearing, a council spokeswoman confirmed.

The Met has recommended that the licence should be revoked, meaning that the current operator of the club, K Events, would not be able to run a club there anymore.